When anything acute happens, like a terminal illness diagnosis or a traumatic car accident, the all-natural reaction tells you to jump into action, making plans.
On the other hand, all those age-related cognitive declines like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease do not always result in that type of immediate impact. Instead, over a period of time, the symptoms and signs unfold.
As a result, it becomes really difficult to know when it is the right time to opt for home Alzheimer’s care. During the initial stage of Alzheimer’s, the situation usually does not get too complex.
However, with time, the patient starts to forget regular things like taking medicines and ensuring personal hygiene. Even they can not identify their loved ones sometimes.
During this time, the caregiving task becomes a full-time job, and the individual who is taking care of the patient does not get the social life that they deserve. They hardly find time for themselves.
Signs It’s Time to Look At In-Home Alzheimer’s Care
Now the question is, how will you know that it is time to go for home Alzheimer’s care. That is why this article has been curated. Here, we will talk about the signs that you need to identify, and on the basis of them, you will make the decision to get home care.
It does not mean you need to be too particular with all these signs. You just need to pay a little attention and check whether these signs can be seen or not. Checking from time to time will be enough here.
Sign No. 1: Dementia Or Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Every one of us is forgetful, and with age, it increases. Still, routine forgetting of names, important dates, paying bills, and how to get to familiar places is not really normal. All these are the very first signs of dementia.
In case your loved one is experiencing all these issues, you should make an appointment with your physician. Once the doctor has done with the diagnosis, it is time to search for memory care. To know details about in-home care, you can visit homecareconnectors.com.
Sign No. 2: Caregiver Stress
When you are caregiving to any of your loved ones who are suffering from Alzheimer’s, it is an around-the-clock responsibility. It becomes almost impossible to sustain the situation without engaging in regular respite care.
Individuals with mild to advanced stages of memory issues need increasing levels of medical assistance. In case you are approaching or already have approached a particular point where caregiving is all-consuming, you should consider home Alzheimer’s care.
For that reason, you may use a CDPAP Agency that will help you to hire almost anyone you want as a caregiver and take control of and direct how your loved ones receive at home personal care.
Sign No. 3: Little To No Social Life
The social life of an individual who is suffering from Alzheimer’s shrinks considerably. It can exacerbate and can even accelerate the condition. Along with proper on-site medical care and also a low caregiver-to-resident ratio, home Alzheimer’s care always offers a vibrant and rich social life.
Caregivers are not only properly trained but also have several years of experience. They know exactly what needs to be done in order to improve the overall social life of the patient who is suffering from memory issues.
Sign No. 4: A Decline In Overall Health
With Alzheimer’s, the patient also loses track of times and dates, which has a disastrous effect on the usual rhythm and contributes to insomnia, Sundowner’s syndrome, along with other sleep disorders. As a result, the overall health decreases.
Here are some physical signs of declining health.
- Lack of food on the cabinets and fridge.
- Rapid weight loss.
- Sunken or hunched posture.
- Neglected personal hygiene.
- Evidence of medication overtaken or not taken.
- Missed appointments and unpaid bills.
- Inexplicable bruises, injuries, and breaks.
Sign No. 5: Your Instinct Is Telling Something
Always remember that your gut instinct never lies.
When you are really suspecting that this is the time to opt for home Alzheimer’s care, although you might not be able to identify or evaluate the situation, your gut feeling will always drive you in the right direction.
So if you are not feeling right and thinking about getting home care for your loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s, you should not neglect that and start looking for the best caregivers in your area. You can do this through websites like https://www.caregiverlist.com.
Here you can find the best care options near you and ensure knowledgeable specialists tend to your loved one.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
We believe after going through this article, you have got the answer you were looking for. Still, here we are, answering some of the most common questions to make your idea clearer.
Q1: When Is The Right Time To Put An Alzheimer’s Patient In A Home?
When it comes to the mid or late stages of dementia, Alzheimer’s individuals might forget whether they have walked and eventually end up in completely unknown places.
As per experts, when your loved one is putting their physical safety at risk on a continuous basis, it is time to consider memory care. A considerable decline in physical health also can be an indicator here.
Q2: What Stage Of Dementia Do They Want To Go Home?
Usually, when individuals are living with mid or late-stage dementia and living in the hospital or facility say that they want to go home.
They actually mean they are scared or feel uneasy at the facility or hospital. At that point, it is important to reassure them that they are completely safe and that you, as their loved one, are there with them.
Q3: What Are Signs Of Impending Death In Alzheimer’s Patients?
Here are the signs of the dying process of Alzheimer’s patients.
- Will be unable to swallow.
- Deteriorate faster than before.
- Lose consciousness.
- Develop an irregular breathing pattern.
- Become restless or agitated.
- Have cold feet and hands.
- Have a ratty or chesty sound to their breathing.
Q4: How Long Can Alzheimer’s Patients Live At Home?
With every passing day, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease worsen. But the rate of progression of this disease depends on a lot of things and thus varies from person to person.
On average, an individual who is suffering from Alzheimer’s usually lives 4 to 8 years after the diagnosis. Depending on some other factors, the patient can live as long as 20 years.
